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We return from what seems like the 625th international break so far this season looking bigger and stronger than we would usually from an international break, with an even shorter injury list and the prospect of seeing Cazorla and Ozil in the same team together. We left for the break after a hard fought draw at The Hawthorns against a resilient West Brom side; hopefully Saturday’s visit of The Canaries will make for easier viewing.
Norwich City find themselves at the bottom end of the table after a disappointing start to the season, a start that has included 4 defeats from their opening 7 games, leading to the bookies shortening their odds on Chris Hughton to be the next Premier League manager to get the axe. An impressive victory away to Stoke and after pushing Chelsea all the way at Carrow Road, leaving Chelsea needing late goals to secure victory, the pressure has been eased a little on Hughton. After already facing Spurs and Everton and with Arsenal on Saturday, Cardiff the week after, Norwich face two trips to Manchester in the coming weeks, so you can expect the pressure piled back on Chris Hughton if they still have 7 points in a few weeks’ time, who’d want to be a manager ay?
A few of Norwich’s summer signings have made quite an impression so far this campaign, none more so than young English winger Nathan Redmond. Signed from Birmingham, the England under 21 international has been tipped for a senior team call up after producing some great displays thus far. Blessed with great pace, his directness has been a problem for defences, hopefully the week of direct English wingers producing fantastic displays doesn’t continue this weekend. Leroy Fer has been another consistent performer for Norwich this season, the Dutch international central midfielder arrived as somewhat as a shock acquisition from FC Twente for a fee of around £4.5m. That signing would’ve been more of a shock if Norwich hadn’t already pulled off the coup of Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon. The Dutch talisman arrived for a club record £8.5m earlier on in the summer, but so far has only shown glimpses of his form in Portugal.
Last season Arsenal and Norwich met twice in the Premier League, with the home side coming out victorious on both occasions. The first fixture at Carrow Road ended in a 1-0 victory to Norwich as Grant Holt put us to the sword almost a year ago to the day. A Vito Mannone error cost us that day, a match in which we had a defence of Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen and Santos. Speaks for itself really.
The return leg at Emirates had so much riding on it, Arsenal needed to secure victory to keep their hunt for top 4 alive, after dominating the game for large portions, a goal from a set piece gave Norwich the lead. It was a game where tensions were some of the highest I’ve ever experienced at the Emirates, from both the players and the fans. After an hour Wenger introduced Wilshere, Chamberlain and Podolski to change the game, and it paid off, 3 goals in the last 5 mins from Arteta (penalty), Giroud and Podolski secured us a vital 3 points.
Last 5 meetings
Arsenal 3-1 Norwich
Norwich 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal 3-3 Norwich
Norwich 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Norwich
Factfile
- The last 4 meetings between Arsenal and Norwich at Emirates/Highbury have resulted in Arsenal scoring more than 3 goals.
- 6/7 of the last meetings between Norwich and Arsenal have resulted in both teams scoring
- The last time Norwich won away at Arsenal was in 1992, where they won 4-2
- Norwich have only won 2 of their last 13 games away from home in the Premier League
Injuries
With Ozil and Cazorla both being passed fit by Wenger, it could well be the first time we see Ozil and Cazorla play together. It will leave Wenger with decisions to make on who he plays in the centre and out wide, with Flamini, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky and Wilshere all available. Sagna is expected to be part of the squad but probably isn’t fit enough to start, whilst it is too soon for Walcott, Podolski and Chamberlain. Norwich have 2 injury concerns as they have Elliot Bennett and Anthony Pilkington out injured.
Possible Starting XI
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Flamini, Wilshere, Ozil, Rosicky, Giroud
Despite the return of Cazorla, I doubt Wenger will start him, so we will either have to wait until the second half or the game in midweek against Dortmund for the Ozil and Cazorla link up. A debate could be made for a Bendtner start in order to give Giroud a rest, confidence is bound to be high for the Big Dane after bagging two against the Italians in midweek. I expect Wilshere to be given more game time to improve after his mixed game against West Brom. Good selection issues for Wenger, not something we’re I’m used to saying.
I fully expect Arsenal to put 3 or 4 past Norwich, the creativity in midfield will be too much for Norwich to handle and whilst Norwich will be lively on the counter attack, an early goal should kill off any Norwich ambitions of coming for a result.
